Best Christmas gifts for foodies

Christmas is one of the best times of year for foodies and what better way to treat the gourmand in your life than with an inspiring food-themed gift? We've rounded up the best present ideas for food lovers, from fabulous new recipe books to sleek kitchen appliances...

This brand new recipe collection brings together a decade of MasterChef champions, including James Nathan, Ping Coombes and Angellica Bell, as they get creative in the kitchen and put their unique twists on 100 classic dishes. Gazpacho Granita, Chilli Con Carne Samosas, Piña Colada Syllabub are some of the mouth-watering reinventions.

Presented in a painted tin you can reuse, we love this fabulous honeycomb that is all natural and free from additives. It tastes mild, sweet and floral for an indulgent gift that comes straight from the hive.

Sprouts - but not as you know them. While you can't have Christmas without the much-loved (or hated) veggies, nobody said they couldn't be made from fine Belgian chocolate. Made in Somerset by a father-daughter chocolatier team, this is one novelty gift your foodie will love.

Smeg’s signature hand blender is a retro-style appliance available with four attachments. The dinky tabletop blender is perfect for soups, smoothies and sauces. It comes in red, cream, black and pastel blue finishes for matching with other appliances.

Meghan Markle brought the loveliest gift when she visited a family at their farm in Australia during her royal tour with Prince Harry –and it’s the perfect stocking filler for a foodie. The Duchess arrived with Fortnum & Mason’s Royal Blend and a homemade banana bread in hand. The tea has notes of Flowery Pekoe from Ceylon that and malty Assam for a smooth, honey-like flavour.

Hard-wearing, crumb-catching and one of the most attractive chopping boards we've seen, this acacia wood board is a must-have. It has a sturdy steel handle and is moisture-resistant for slicing meat, too.

Mary Berry said she’d ‘sooner have a pickled walnut than a chocolate’ on her Classic Mary Berry series. Opies' pickled walnuts are a delicious addition to a cheese board or festive buffet of cold cuts – a wonderful stocking filler for foodies.

If the foodie in your life enjoys al fresco entertaining, this portable wood and gas stone oven could be their next favourite toy. Found in popular UK haunts like Pizza Pilgrims and Franco Manca, the Roccbox by Gozney reaches 500oC in minutes and makes Neopolitan pizzas, toasts marshmallows and even crisps bacon.

Give the gift of cosy winter treats this Christmas with this fabulous festive hamper containing delicious goodies, from Barfield Bakery Mince Pies to Brown Bag Crisps Oak Smoked Chilli Crisps, and plenty of Prosecco to wash them down. The woven basket can be kept and used for storage or picnics in the summer.

For cheese lovers who like to go luxe, these gold and marble cheese knives are sure to impress. Whether they’re slicing up gouda or serving up brie, the accessory set will be the star of the cheese board. For a memorable gift, pair it with a bottle of wine or unique cheese.

Chilli fans will adore this extra spicy selection exclusive to John Lewis. Cottage Delight's sensational sauces offer a spicy kick for meat, fish and vegetable dishes. They can be poured over food or used for dipping – either way, they'll provide a spicy Christmas.

What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta! This collection of foodie jokes is a fun stocking filler that's guaranteed to give hours of laughter at the Christmas Day dinner table. There are 64 funny jokes to keep everyone entertained.

Know a stilton fan? The UK’s first orange blue cheese will be an unusual addition to their festive cheese board. Made at Wilson Fields Farm with pasteurised cows’ milk from the Butler family pedigree herd, this cheese is bright in its hue and creamy in texture, yet has just enough blue bite to tingle taste buds.

2018 celebrates 20 years since Nigella Lawson released her first book, How To Eat, with a new anniversary edition. The cook book is a real classic and a pleasure for gourmands to read, providing inspiration thanks to Nigella’s imaginative writing and decadent recipes.

Shortbread stars, St James Pudding and Christmas curd – this festive hamper will have your foodie friend celebrating the joy of Christmas well after the big day. It comes brimming with tea too, so they can eat, drink and be truly merry!

Goodbye ugly Tupperware, hello fun lunch box! Take your food lover's lunch on a trip to a galaxy far, far away with this R2-D2-inspired bento box. It has two food compartments and a lid that doubles up as a soup bowl.

Who wouldn't want to find this in their stocking? A delicious orange-flavoured hot chocolate created by Harrods' master chocolatiers for Christmas, this festive treat comes in a keepsake tin that makes it wonderful for gifting.